King suffers knee injury setback

King was set to play for Spurs against Inter Milan on Sunday

Tottenham captain Ledley King has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks after undergoing a knee operation.

An initial scan revealed the 25-year-old England defender would be out of action until September after picking up a the injury in training.

Spurs boss Martin Jol said: "Ledley had an operation this afternoon and he will be back playing in five or six weeks.

"We must get on with it but it is a blow. He is one of our best players and one of the best defenders in England."

The Dutchman also insisted that he would not delve into the transfer market to fill the gap left by King.

He added: "I think we will solve the problem from within the ranks."

King had recovered from the broken foot that forced him out of the World Cup.

But he will now miss new England coach Steve McClaren's first game in charge against Greece at Old Trafford on 16 August.

And King is unlikely to be fit for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia, which take place at the start of September.

His last competitive game was for Tottenham against Everton on 15 April.